‘I don't think I need the tennis’ – Roger Federer looks to life after sport after missing Wimbledon

intrepidish

Hall of Fame

DSH

Talk Tennis Guru
An interesting interview with Roger which seems to suggest that Roger is adopting a different viewpoint about the role of tennis in his life going forward:


He doesn't need tennis because his time has simply passed.
It's called acceptance.
Good for him!
(y)
 
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Rattie

Legend
Can you cut and paste the article? I can’t access it from the USA.
Roger Federer has spoken about life after sport, hinting he will be happy in retirement without playing tennis, after more than 12 months out with a knee injury.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion dropped out of the top 1,000 players in the ATP rankings for the first time since 1997, after being forced to miss out on Wimbledon this year.

In an interview with Dutch newspaper, Algemeen Dagblad, he said that he will be ready to stop when the time comes.

He said: “I am a winner lover, but if you're not competitive any more, then it's better to stop. I don't think I need the tennis. I am happy with the little things, like when my son does something right and when my daughter comes home with a good grade.
“Tennis is part of, but not my entire identity. I want to be and remain successful, and put a lot of energy into business - probably give more than I should sometimes, but that can also be done outside of sports. I know a professional career can't last forever and that's okay."
The Swiss superstar admits it was strange to watch this year’s championships at the All England Club as a spectator, but has enjoyed a greater sense of freedom from not adhering to a gruelling tour schedule.

“It feels very strange for me not to play Wimbledon this year and to watch it on TV, as I've been there every time since 1998.
“But I've been on the road for so long that it was also nice to experience a little more peace and to be in one place more often, which already happened due to the coronavirus. It gave me the opportunity to selectively sort out my travels and give something back. Many friends always came to see me, now I could turn it around.

The tennis itinerary was sometimes excessive, especially with having to organise that for the children too.
“It's nice to have a break from that now, and for them too, although they miss the travelling. We have friends all over the world and have developed routines for them as well. We haven't seen our friends in New York and Melbourne for a few years now.
“But I can honestly say that I am very happy at home. And that it is a great advantage that I can now make an appointment for a Tuesday morning in three weeks. And that I can actually do it without reality overtaking me.
“At times we miss travelling the world, and of course I also miss the sport, but also feel: life at home in a, let's say, normal way, is also good.”
The 40-year-old could make a return to action at the Laver Cup in September, and at the Swiss Indoors in Basel at month later.
However, it appears unlikely that Federer will reach the stratospheric heights from the early stages of his career.
 
I'm super happy for Roger having this amazing new chapter of life in front of him. But as a fan of him as a tennis player, this interview makes me feel uneasy. It clearly seems to be hinting at Federer not coming back, and yet he doesn't say anything about it directly. As Mariah Carey's song goes "If it's over, won't you let me know?"

The uncertainty sucks.
 

Nadal - GOAT

Hall of Fame
Well! He sure wishes he had not messed up in 2019 and then he could have retired more peacefully.

He will always be a legendary player but unfortunately history will not be very kind to him. He will definitely go down as the 3rd best player and unless someone stops Novak, he will not even be remembered as the greatest grass player.
 

InsuranceMan

Hall of Fame
Well! He sure wishes he had not messed up in 2019 and then he could have retired more peacefully.

He will always be a legendary player but unfortunately history will not be very kind to him. He will definitely go down as the 3rd best player and unless someone stops Novak, he will not even be remembered as the greatest grass player.
The harsh reality as a fan, well said
 

jmc3367

Rookie
yeah it seems like he is probably done. I hate it. I would have liked to have seen him play in person. Good luck to him.
 

Lleytonstation

Talk Tennis Guru
I'm super happy for Roger having this amazing new chapter of life in front of him. But as a fan of him as a tennis player, this interview makes me feel uneasy. It clearly seems to be hinting at Federer not coming back, and yet he doesn't say anything about it directly. As Mariah Carey's song goes "If it's over, won't you let me know?"

The uncertainty sucks.
Sounds like it's LC and then Basel and then out.

I can accept that, but one more go at a slam would have been nice.

But I have to at least see a goodbye match. Not that sampras disappearing act.
 
Sounds like it's LC and then Basel and then out.

I can accept that, but one more go at a slam would have been nice.

But I have to at least see a goodbye match. Not that sampras disappearing act.
I'll be heartbroken if he does this. Seriously, it'll be a jerk move after leading us on. Like, do I buy tickets for Basel now? I thought I'll see him at Wimbledon next year. :((((((
 
D

Deleted member 629564

Guest
Tennis doesn't need him either as he has been surpassed by more talented players.
michael-scott-the-office.gif
 
H

Herald

Guest
Sounds like the Maestro is reaping the benefits of age-given wisdom. Perhaps throw in some wine, and a nice Italian castle, and life will be complete good man.
 

mahatma

Hall of Fame
He's making peace with it but I have to say it makes me sad as a tennis fan reading this. The man's a legend, no doubt about it, and has given so much to the game. I don't care who you're favorite player is but he's one of the greats and is going to be missed.
Agreed, not a fan but I know how a true fan will feel when he hangs up his boots. Will be a void which hopefully someone from the young gen fills. For me Agassi's gap was filled by Djokovic :)
 
D

Deleted member 629564

Guest
Well, he had the record for like 11 years, for a longer period than the previous holder, Sampras. If anything, Federer fans should not complain as he kept it for a longer period than he was supposed to LOL.
Negative.
They are in shock. And will be in shock.
You cannot easily rebuild your imaginations if your expectations were extremely high, but the reality has ruined it in so relentless way.

Fedbase was expecting him to remain the first in the race forever.
That's the problem number 1.

Millions of comments from the 2008-2020 period are the proof.
And it's in the internet easily available in the archives. Hard to deny it, hard to hide it.
That's the problem number 2.

And the last but not least: it's not only Nadal (instrumentally nowadays so-called a friend of Roger) who rose above Federer.
It's Djokovic as well.
That's the problem number 3.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Agreed, not a fan but I know how a true fan will feel when he hangs up his boots. Will be a void which hopefully someone from the young gen fills. For me Agassi's gap was filled by Djokovic :)
Yea it reminds me of when Sampras and then Agassi left. Those were huge voids left behind. The big 3 came along and took tennis to an even greater level so although you missed Sampras/Agassi, we had something just as great. Now we are reaching that crossroads again.
 

intrepidish

Hall of Fame
I'll be heartbroken if he does this. Seriously, it'll be a jerk move after leading us on. Like, do I buy tickets for Basel now? I thought I'll see him at Wimbledon next year. :((((((

I can't say I see any jerk move from Roger from what has been revealed up to now. He has obviously been trying to come back and if he's coming to the conclusion that it won't be possible on his terms, that's that.

It might also be that they talked to him on a day when he was feeling a bit more philosophical so to speak.
 
The guy should put his feet up. He was a part of one of the greatest eras in tennis history, a great champion in his own right, and completely secure in his place as one of the all-time Top Ten. It's a shame he went out on a bagel at Wimbledon but tennis can be a cruel game at times and seldom gives you the fairy-tale ending. It would be sad to see him come back and start losing in the early rounds. It's not how we want to think of him.

He will always be an all-time great. As long as tennis is discussed among true fans, the name of Roger Federer will be up there with the Rosewalls, Perrys, Connors etc. Guys who were a key part of their eras.
 

Mike Sams

G.O.A.T.
The guy should put his feet up. He was a part of one of the greatest eras in tennis history, a great champion in his own right, and completely secure in his place as one of the all-time Top Ten. It's a shame he went out on a bagel at Wimbledon but tennis can be a cruel game at times and seldom give you the fairy-tale ending. It would be sad to see him come back and start losing in the early rounds. It's not how we want to think of him.

He will always be an all-time great. As long as tennis is discussed among true fans, the name of Roger Federer will be up there with the Rosewalls, Perrys, Connors etc. Guys who were a key part of their eras.
Federer losing Wimbledon 2019 damaged his legacy.
Even if he lost the Slam race, winning Wimbledon 2019 by going through Nadal and Djokovic back to back would've put him right up there and he could've retired from that with his aura intact.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
The guy should put his feet up. He was a part of one of the greatest eras in tennis history, a great champion in his own right, and completely secure in his place as one of the all-time Top Ten.

Somone said he was #3, I said he was #4 and now he might even be 10th LOL.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
Federer was caught in the transition between the classical style of play derived from the woodie and gut days and the modern topspin game derived from bigger graphite rackets and polys. He tried his best to adjust by moving from a 90 to a 97 but he still could not keep up with the modern game. He was basically the victim of technology changes.

Having said that, I have modeled my game after him due to reasons of injury prevention.
 
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